The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, held Sunday, March 15, 2026, sparked a new wave of discussion after viewers noticed the absence of several prominent names during the annual “In Memoriam” segment.
Details of the “In Memoriam” Segment
While the ceremony honored a number of cinematic legends, including Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, and Rob Reiner with dedicated segments, other well-known figures were not included in the on-screen tribute.
Among the stars not featured in the televised “In Memoriam” segment were James Van Der Beek, Eric Dane, Brigitte Bardot, Lonny Anderson, Robert Carradine, Richard Chamberlain, and Julian McMahon.
Social media users also pointed out the omission of names like Samantha Eggar, Polly Holliday, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and George Wendt, as well as directors Tom Noonan and Peter Watkins.
Despite being left out of the televised tribute, names like Hulk Hogan and Loretta Swit were included in the full list of those remembered, published on the Academy’s website.
The Case of Gene Hackman
Some viewers also questioned why actor Gene Hackman was not included in this year’s segment, despite his significant contributions to film history.
However, Entertainment Weekly clarified that Hackman had already been honored with a special tribute during the Academy Awards in 2025, just days after his death at the age of 95. The tribute was presented by Morgan Freeman, who described him as a “giant” and a “generous artist” who inspired generations of filmmakers.
According to the publication, Hackman’s absence from the 2026 segment wasn’t an oversight, but rather a matter of timing, as those who passed away during the previous year up until the start of rehearsals for the show are typically included.
Producers Respond
Producers Katy Mullan and Raj Kapoor acknowledged the difficulty of compiling the “In Memoriam” segment, particularly given the large number of influential figures the film industry lost during 2025 and early 2026.
The producers emphasized that the biggest challenge lies in balancing honoring as many names as possible while adhering to the broadcast’s time constraints—a point that has drawn similar criticism in recent years. The segment is a poignant reminder of the industry’s losses and a staple of the annual awards show.
